This alliance established a collaborative relationship between the OSHA Omaha Office and the Omaha Public Schools (OPS) - Career Center, to provide young workers exposure to occupational safety and health concepts, requirements, and best practices. This alliance also affords students of the Career Center - Construction Academy the opportunity to obtain an OSHA 10-Hour Construction Outreach card, as well as industry recognition, access to multiple safety training resources, and internship opportunities.

April, 2011 – As part of the Omaha Area Office's emphasis on young worker safety and health, Mr. Fletcher and Compliance Officer Steve Jordan participated in the annual Omaha Public School's Career Fair. As part of this activity, approximately 400 middle school students were introduced to OSHA, to basic safety and health concepts, to the use of personal protective equipment, and to the possibility of employment with the Federal Government. Students had the opportunity to handle various types of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and well as many of the "tools" an OSHA compliance officer might use during an inspection. Basic elements of hazard recognition, as might pertain to a middle school student, were presented and discussed.

Mr. Pisasale serves on the OPS – Career Center's Construction Academy Advisory Board. He participated in a program aimed at preparing students for summer apprenticeship programs with local construction companies. Following completion of these apprenticeships, Mr. Pisasale participated in "debriefing" interviews with each of the eight student-participants.

In February of 2011, CSHO held a class at the union hall for 3rd year apprentice ironworkers (14 persons) on subpart R and the new requirements for personnel involved in Rigging operations based upon Subparts CC and DD (Crane operations).

April 29, 2011 - Participation by OSHA representative in the OPS Career Fair

~ 400 students

October- November 2011 – OSHA 10-Hour Construction Outreach Training

11 students (completed)

Apprenticeship preparation/debriefing

8 students

TOTAL

~ 419 students

Upcoming Milestones

It is our intention to continue this alliance. Career Center faculty intend to complete the OSHA 500 Trainer Course(s) for Construction Outreach and administer the training themselves.

The Construction Academy program is a two-year program. Students attend the Construction Academy as juniors and seniors in high school. They receive their 10-Hour OSHA Construction Outreach training as juniors. Many students of the program will then perform an apprenticeship during the summer between their junior and senior year, with a local construction company. The students regularly comment about the value of having a 10-Hour card when they apply for an apprenticeship and while they are working on a construction site.